A new super-advanced halo BMW M model could arrive by 2021, and it's likely to feature some form of electrification

Speaking exclusively to Auto Express at the Los Angeles Motor Show, BMW M boss Markus Flasch said, “I can think of doing standalone M-cars – I like the idea and I think we’re going to do something in this direction.”

BMW wowed show goers at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September when it showed the plug-in hybrid Vision M Next concept, but Flasch wouldn’t commit to the new standalone model following that car’s mid-engined layout. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a mid-engined supercar, but definitely it has to stand out from the crowd.”

Flasch wouldn’t rule out a different shape of halo car for the M division – when asked if it could be an SUV, he simply replied, “I don’t know… Well I do know, but I’m not saying yet!”

Sources within BMW have suggested that the new car could be seen by 2021 and that the car is likely to feature some form of electrification.

Flasch comfirmed to us that we’ll see an M division car featuring electrification very soon. “I can’t disclose when, but it’s not too far away,” he said.

“M has never been dogmatic about any particular technology – electrification is not rocket science and it’s not the game changer that people think it’s an easy answer to every question.

“There won’t be a point of time when we turn all vehicles to this or that technology, we will live for a very long time with a variety of powertrains depending on the market and the segment.”

As far as M is concerned, that means an electrified propulsion system has to offer more than the internal combustion engine model it replaces. “We will bring electrified propulsion systems as soon as they’re better than the predecessor – that’s the first rule – we don’t have to be the first, we have to be the best,” said Flasch.

While Flasch was non-committal about a standalone M car mirroring the Vision M Next’s mid-engined layout, new BMW design boss Damagoj Dukec was very positive about the look and proportion of the concept making it through to production.

Also speaking at the LA show, Dukec said, “We have a heritage of bringing art cars and race cars together with M. I am convinced that this [Vision M Next] is the right way.

“BMW deserves to be ahead in terms of brand identity. What we did with the M Next, it’s a complete different approach in terms of communication and the artwork around the car”

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As long as they don't pull some type of i8 type stuff on this they should be good. I would hate to see M's halo car have a small 3-4 cylinder engine like the i8. Something like a successor to the original M1 would be awesome, and the name could then also be used again as well.

"The year is 2192. The British Prime Minister visits Brussels to ask for an extension of the Brexit deadline. No one remembers where this tradition originated, but every year it attracts many tourists from all over the world."...

"In other news BMW have moved another step closer to potentially agreeing to a halo M car, it is strongly rumoured this will follow the hotly anticipated 2193 i8S"

For me the M car was / is the one that regardless of being an CE vehicle is still able to give a run for the money to the new electric trains.. I mean vehicles.

That's what I called technology.
A battery and an electric motor can be build by anyone.
A vehicle with so many parts that is able to reach that 0 to 60 in a similar time with an electric one, while is moving so many parts, that is technology that one should admire. Healthier and more reliable in terms of range, filling and ready to go even if you leave it to wait for two months in the woods.

To be honest, once everyone will go electric, I don't see that much of a reason to pick an M or an AMG or whatever. All will be the same 100 yo technology, soulless, lifeless and boring.

I don't like electric and I will do my best to never buy one but that's another story.

Cool idea but about 10 years late. They had the perfect engine for that project with the S85. An R8 V10 competitor would've been awesome.

Absolutely correct... its 10 late at this point... the I8 body with a totally different drive train had potential at one point... at this point you are getting some sort of electric car. Audi captured the R8 market and Benz grabbed the AMG GTs / SLS at the right time, its mustard after dinner at this point.